“Alston Hall is a wonderful place for a large gathering with its number of bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms.”

We really enjoyed the week, and made good use of the indoor and outdoor pools. The littler children enjoyed the swings and trampoline as well as just enjoying running along the corridors! I liked the fact that the house was grand but yet comfortable and the furniture solid so I didn’t have to worry about child-caused damage. There were lots of little nooks for adults to sit and read or chat. The snooker table was much enjoyed, and the mezzanine desk was just right for our huge jigsaw.
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We really enjoyed the week, and made good use of the indoor and outdoor pools. The littler children enjoyed the swings and trampoline as well as just enjoying running along the corridors! I liked the fact that the house was grand but yet comfortable and the furniture solid so I didn’t have to worry about child-caused damage. There were lots of little nooks for adults to sit and read or chat. The snooker table was much enjoyed, and the mezzanine desk was just right for our huge jigsaw.
I agree with others’ comments that the kitchen isn’t really adequate for a large number. There were plenty of plates, cutlery, glasses etc so that was fine but the ovens weren’t big enough for us to easily heat our provided meals from the Galley Girls (whom we recommend, their food was excellent). It’s odd that there’s not storage for food in the larger kitchen with the ovens (not helped by the fact that the large new fridge wasn’t working for our first five days) so we were constantly traipsing food through from the utility room where there was cupboard space. So that was slightly tiring.
But we’d love to come here again. Everyone enjoyed it. Apart from the only-just-about-ok kitchen, other facilities were great. We liked the two washing machines and two tumble dryers, the staff especially Geoff were very helpful, the grounds are great for games and outside play; the information brochure from the owners was very useful indeed. Holbeton Village stores delivered milk, breads and newspapers for the whole week which was really helpful, do use them.
An excellent holiday to celebrate my 70th birthday!

Dr CampionJune 2019

“Good liaison.”

Mrs ChandlerJune 2019

“The house is fantastic, much larger than expected with a wide variety of activities, games, books etc.”

, in a good location with far reaching views to the sea and to Dartmoor.
The furniture and decoration was rather dated, and the bathrooms were very basic in many rooms, but we all found the beds very comfortable.
The tennis courts are in very poor condition so I don't think you should advertise them as they are not suitable for a game of tennis.
The new kitchen was a disappointment for us. It is not well planned for catering for 30+ people, as there are not enough ovens, sinks, workspace, equipment or knives.
The housekeeping staff and gardener were helpful and friendly.. The gardens were tidy and pools very clean, it is a wonderful venue for a group holiday, particularly if you don't want to cook much.

Mrs BrowneApril 2019

“The tour and explanation of the property was great.”

Very clean.
Because everything was not prrgect decor wise it made you relax with children. having said that the decor was lovely and well maintained in reception rooms . kitchen needed updating which is being done now. dining room could do with recarpeting but at least you didn't stress too much with wine and food.
swimming pool excellent. snooker room was great. all 23 guests were very pleased with their rooms. loved allbthe sporys ewuipmentcwe could use. local maps very helpful. towels and bedding lovely. good relaxed atmosphere. very helpful handy man and Kim was lovely.

Alston Hall was an amazing venue, everyone slept well on comfortable beds with great facilities to keep even the youngest of our party happy. The swimming pool was fab for the younger models and the truculent teens loved the snooker and the tennis court!
The kitchen however really lets the property down. The ovens/cookers are old, woefully inadequate and don't work well. Catering for 34 was a real challenge and I've cooked for this number in a middle of a field!l (scout leader). It needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency. The dishwashers whilst welcome aren't the most effective with broken dispensers meaning that lots of stuff needed rewashing. It didn't ruin our enjoyment but meant that it took much more effort to get food out for everyone on time... however it is brilliant to find proper sized pots and pans to allow us to cook enough mash and veg for everyone..
We would love to come back in 3 years to celebrate my daughters 21st!

**Owner Response** Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted that you had such a successful holiday at Alston Hall and can confirm that plans are underway to upgrade the kitchen.
Owner relations

Mr BurtonJanuary 2019

“32 people had a great week at Alston Hall.”

The experience was very positive and the only negative comment given was that the cooking facilities were quite aged and in need of updating. The Maintenance man and the Housekeeper were very helpful and friendly and went above and beyond expectations. I would not hesitate to recommend Alston Hall. Sykes made the whole booking and payment process easy and were on hand to help with all of my questions.

Mr Van DijkDecember 2018

“Alston Hall was great!”

We had a marvellous time there, what a location! And the house was also pretty good. The only thing we missed was good pressure on the shower-water on the second floor ....

“Fabulous large house, great for big family gatherings.”

“Absolutely fabulous “Event” property”

ALSTON HALL 9/10/2018
We were looking for a large property with sufficient bathrooms to accommodate our extended family and one dog who were all travelling from different parts of the country to Devon. Alston Hall fitted the criteria perfectly. We arrived at the property and were welcomed and were shown around by the absolutely charming property manager named Rosie, both she and the property exceeded our expectations and although I must admit that the kitchen was more than adequate it could do with a re-vamp but I must say the beds were really comfortable and the property was lovely and warm. Absolutely everything expected was provided with the exception of hairdryers, a small thing when you consider the enormity of the accommodation. The size, comfort, charm, facilities, warmth and character as well as location of Alston Hall takes your breath away. Needless to say we had a fabulous family break and none of us would hesitate for a minute to hire or recommend it again for any large gathering from family to corporate events....it truly is magnificent. Seeing is believing, a brilliant property!!!!!!

Mrs GibsonOctober 2018

“We were looking for a large property with sufficient bathrooms to accommodate our extended family and one dog who were all travelling from different parts of the country to Devon.”

Alston Hall fitted the criteria perfectly. We arrived at the property and were welcomed and were shown around by the absolutely charming property manager named Rosie, both she and the property exceeded our expectations and although I must admit that the kitchen was more than adequate it could do with a re-vamp but I must say the beds were really comfortable and the property was lovely and warm. Absolutely everything expected was provided with the exception of hairdryers, a small thing when you consider the enormity of the accommodation. The size, comfort, charm, facilities, warmth and character as well as location of Alston Hall takes your breath away. Needless to say we had a fabulous family break and none of us would hesitate for a minute to hire or recommend it again for any large gathering from family to corporate events....it truly is magnificent. Seeing is believing, a brilliant property!!!!!!!

Ms OckoJuly 2018

“We were there with a group of 30 range between 1 and 75 years and we felt very welcomed.”

Everyone loved the pools and the fantastic house, with space enough for everybody. Lana our housekeeper and Jeff the gardener were helpful and very friendly. And thankyou very much to Helpful Holidays, the staff is great, they attended me from the first contact and the booking in October last year until now. Everything went easy and smoothy.

Mrs SandersMay 2018

“Having had to cancel our original weekend break in March due to the snow we re-booked for May with your help and had a wonderful time.”

The surprise cake/gateau was amazing and delicious! We were a family party with an age range of 1 year to 90 years and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

The property

About a mile from Battisborough Cross, at the end of a long tree-lined drive, is Alston Hall, a three-storey, detached country residence, built in 1906 as a rectory.

Many facilities remain for your enjoyment from its more recent role as a country house hotel, including indoor heated swimming pool (38' x 18' x 3'6" deep, ball hoop for games) with pool chairs, table tennis, games and French windows opening to an enclosed, lawned, walled garden (table/chairs, two barbecues).

Surrounding the house are 3 acres of well-kept grounds and gardens, mostly south-west facing, with superb uninterrupted views over rolling green fields to a glimmer of the sea and the Mewstone beyond.

At the front and catching all-day sun, an unheated outdoor swimming pool (38' x 18' x 8'2" to 3'6" deep, available 26 May to 15 September), vast lawns (croquet - mallets provided, tables/chairs positioned to take in those lovely views) bordered by a shallow sunken rose garden (unfenced) and children's play area (swing, trampoline), shaded in part by lovely mature trees; also an all-weather fun tennis court and steps down to further lawned area with plenty of space for cricket or kicking a ball around.

A long drive brings you to the front of the house and gravelled terrace with steps up to heavy oak door into porch; grand oak-panelled entrance hall with stained glass windows, huge fireplace (woodburner), comfy sofas/chairs, window seats and piano; above, impressive galleried landing with more sofas/chairs.

Off the hall, two further living rooms, one elegant, full of light, with stone-mullioned windows and garden/swimming pool views, TV/DVD; the other, more cosy with TV/Sky/DVD/PVR, piano and door (lockable) to rear hall and the indoor swimming pool.

Sweeping formal staircase from hall up to galleried landing and the vast master suite (6' bed) with dressing room, huge en suite bathroom (suite with separate shower, twin washbasins) and lovely views over the garden to the distant sea; on this floor, eight more bedrooms, all good-sized with en suite bathroom (suite, shower over bath) and mostly garden views (some distant sea glimpses) - four double (one with 5' bed), three with interconnecting doors (all can be bolted and individually accessed), two twin (limited clothes-hanging space), and two family rooms (double plus single).

Further stairs to second floor and eight more bedrooms, all with en suite bathroom (suite, shower over bath), some with low/sloping eaves - four double (one with 5' bed), three twin and a family suite consisting of double and twin bedrooms with beamed arch between (no door), en suite bathroom and small seating area (steps up, sofa) in the tower.

Ten bedrooms have TV/DVD.

Both floors have rear staircase to ground floor.

Arrival after 4pm.

Professional catering and/or butler/maid service available, by arrangement (extra).

Concessionary rates available for scuba diving at Fort Bovisand Dive Centre and golf/spa at Dartmouth Golf and Country Club.

This is a hugely spacious and well organised place, excellent for family and extended family groups, special birthdays and celebrations at any time of year.
Battisborough Cross: hamlet a mile from the mouth of the beautiful River Erme estuary at Mothecombe (lovely sandy beach, seasonal tea room) and from the open sea (cliffs, coast path).

Eight second floor bedrooms with en suite bathrooms with baths, WCs and basins: 4 x double (one with king size bed), 3 x twin, 1 x family suite with double and twin bedrooms either side of an arch (no door) and small seating area